Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ The Burning of Bessie Cooper ❯ A story told ( One-Shot )

 

 

 

 

 

My flesh burned to a crisp, my life is almost forgotten. I was burned alive at the stake, accused of witchcraft. I was wrongly accused; they could not be more mistaken. I believed myself to be 100% Catholic and would never worship the devil! But I met the devil, for that I am sure. The devil I met did not have horns nor or a tail. No, this devil came in the form of a human being, a man. Let me assure you he had a heart, a soul, and the mind of a devil. This evil man's name was Kelvin Carter. This despicable man was the one that accused me. My story, which I wish to tell you, does not begin here. No, it begins long before that. It starts from the moment I laid eyes on this man; from this you can understand how evil this man is. Listen closely to the story, because it's the last you will hear from me, before I go to the land beyond the living.

 

I was like all girls are of sixteen, giggling with my friends, dreaming of love like that in the books. Oh how I loved reading books, though we had few. Mom said I was going to marry some rich gent because of my looks. I really was pretty. I was fair in complexion, brown wavy hair with brown-gold eyes. Mama and I were penniless; we were poor. We were part of the lower class society. But, I never complained. We had a house that was all paid for. This was because of father; he bought the house before he died. Life was going to change because I had a job now, working at the store down the block.

 

******

 

 

Standing outside of the store my heart was beating so fast I could hear it in my ears. A voice broke into my thoughts.

 

“Are you coming in or not?” It was the manager of the shop, and my boss. She was a plump little woman named Eleanor.

 

“Sorry, yes.”

 

“Good, you can start by getting that broom over in the corner and sweep up a bit. Kelvin Carter will be working at the counter and you will take orders from him when I am not around. Do you understand?”

 

“Yes, I will not let you down.”

 

Kelvin walked in a few minutes later carrying a bag of flour. He was about six feet high, had strong arms, dark brown hair, a strong chin and crystal blue eyes; they seemed to look into your very soul. He dropped the bag down, reached his hand out and said, “You the pretty lass that got the job, eh? I'm Kelvin Carter.”

 

I took his hand. “Nice to meet you, I'm Bessie Cooper. I better get to work.” Turning my back to him I returned to sweeping the floor.

 

“After you are done sweeping, put the flour in that barrel over there, I have to talk to Eleanor.” He then turned and walked off.

 

I started to hum a tune while I worked, and by the time Kelvin came back the floor was clean enough to eat off of and the flour was paced neatly in the barrel.

 

“You did a nice job of sweeping there, Bessie.”

”Thank you.”

 

“Well, since you did such a good job of that, would you like to learn how to use the counter? I asked Eleanor and she said it was alright if I kept an eye on you.”

 

“I would love to learn, sir.” Working at the counter meant a penny more a day. I was trilled.

 

The first week at my new job passed with much contentment in my heart in and out of the work place. Kelvin and I were becoming very good friends; I was seeing more and more of him. I was not naive enough to think he might not want something more. I knew men were very attractive to me, but I was content on staying friends with him. It was not that he wasn't handsome and or charming. I just knew he was not that interested in marriage, just a love affair, and a poor girl like me had to get married if she was to survive.

 

It was Monday now and I was in a joyful mood because it was my mother's birthday today, I was going to buy something real nice for my mother, Roseanna, I had been saving some of the job money. This would be the first time we had enough to buy actual presents. I was daydreaming about what to get her so I did not realize that Kelvin had approached me, that is until he spoke that is.

 

“Hello Bessie, I heard it was your mother's birthday, so I decided I would get her something. Would you give it to her for me?”

 

I was a little spooked at him appearing like that, but I agreed “Of course I can, but you did not need to get her anything.”

 

“It was no problem. We are almost like family”

 

“If you would like, you can give it to her yourself. I am sure she would be delighted.”

 

“That would be great,” and he gave me one of his magnificent smiles. I could not help but be glad. He had become a very good friend to me, and it was real nice he thought of my mother like that.

 

“Okay, you can come over at 7:00 p.m., because I need to get something for her and then I will have to tell her your coming.”

 

After my shift was over, I went shopping for the gift. I finally decided on a hat that I thought would go well with Mom's Sunday dress. When I was done, it was getting near 7:00, so I had to rush home. The problem was that Kelvin decided to come early, and when I got home, Kelvin was sitting in the living room with my mom. I started apologizing immediately.

 

“I'm sorry, Mama, I was going to tell you when I came home, but I lost track of time. Please do not be mad.”

 

“Why would I be mad? He is a very nice gent.”

 

I could not help but breathe out relief. “Well, that is just great. I am glad that you are happy. Would you like to open my present now?”

 

“I'd love to.”

 

So the evening proceeded in a comfortable setting. We chatted of things of non-importance, and at 9:00 Kelvin left.

 

“So, how fond are you of this Kelvin fellow? Can I expect a wedding ring any time soon? You are of the age and he seems very nice.”

 

“No, Mama, we are just friends. I have no desire to have anything more with this man. Please understand.”

 

“I just don't understand, Bessie. You started bleeding some time ago; there is nothing to keep you from marrying. You are young and attractive and I dream of a happy marriage for you. I believe you will have it with this man. Give me one good reason why I won't see a ring! “

 

“It's because he is more attracted to my body than my mind. Sometimes I am talking to him when his eyes wander to my chest. Do you have any idea of how that makes me feel? It's horrible! Even if I wanted this man to be my husband, I do not even think he would want me as a wife!”

 

“Well, if he doesn't want you, it is his fault, not yours. Come here and give your mother a hug and then run off to bed. I think you need to sleep on it and try to find out Kelvin's feelings.” I went over to hug her and then went to my sleeping quarters.

 

The night was not a restful one. It was more a night of torment. All night, I had thoughts of being alone in blackness, calling and calling, but nobody came. All I heard was the beating of a heart that was not my own.

 

Next the dream faded into a room with a hundred faces of a child all different ages, but in the back of my mind I new it was one in the same, shouting hateful things at me, and telling me all of my faults and mistakes I had every made. In the end I was curled on the floor with my hands on my ears trying to block out the insults to no avail. My hands could not even muffle the sound.

 

When the morning finally reached me I was covered in sweat with tears running down my cheeks. I got up on shaky legs and went down stairs. My mother awaited me.

 

“What is wrong baby? Are you sick? Should I call a nurse?”

 

“I am fine mama. Just a bad night is all.”

 

The whole day I stayed to myself, talking to no one, not even Kelvin. At the end of the day Kelvin approached me. Worried I guess.

 

“Are you feeling all right? You were pretty quiet today; you were not your perky self. Are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong last night that upset you?”

 

“I didn't sleep well last night and I am tired, it's nothing more then that.”

 

“You could come over, and I will make you some tea if you want.”

 

I followed Kelvin not knowing the thoughts running through his sick twisted mind. We can't all be mind readers, right? Oh well.

 

We chatted of little things; all seemed to be going great. But looks can be deceiving. Everything changed once he closed the door. The first thing that I realized was that he was locking the door.

 

But it was when I turned around that I knew he was evil; it was his eyes that gave him away. They were the eyes of cats as they stocked there pray. He was the cat and I was the mouse, getting stalked. I will never forget those eyes. Believe me; they would strike terror into anyone's heart.

 

I started to back up. I backed up until I was stopped my back hitting the wall. I was trapped.

 

”Kelvin, why are you locking the door? Kelvin, are you all right?” All he did was smile a menacing smile to me. We were face to face now. I was about to scream but he was quick. He was already tying a piece of cloth around my mouth so my screams only came as a muffled sound. I realized I could do nothing so I closed my eyes and went slack. The faster it was over the better, I thought bitterly.

 

I closed myself to the outside world. Can you guess what I saw behind my eyes? I was back in my nightmare. Funny that I was not scared as I was then. What was there to be scared of when I was being raped?

Hate turned from an unknown to a friend standing beside me; whispering nothings into my ear. The hate I was feeling took the form of this man in front of me now. There were tears falling down my face, not of sadness, but of anger. I would kill this man without a second thought.

 

Finally it was over. I fell to the floor and just sat there staring in the space in front of me. All I wanted to do was go take a bath and cleanse myself of this filth of a man. He spoke in a soft voice.

 

“I hope there are no hard feelings but you must die. I cannot have you going and telling. But I will not kill you myself - it would be a waste of energy. I could just accuse you of being a witch and watch you burn on the stake.”

 

I laughed through the cloth.

 

“What? Do you have something to say?” He reached down and removed the cloth. I laughed again. It sounded cold even to my own ears.

 

I said in a mocking voice, “What? Are you scared to get my blood on your hands? Now we don't want that.” He slapped me hard on the cheek, it sent my ears ringing, but I just smiled knowing I struck a nerve.

 

“I will enjoy seeing you burn little girl.”

 

“At least I will be in Heaven while your soul is burning in hell. I hope you like it hot because I will only suffer a short time on the stake while you have an eternity to burn.”

 

“Enjoy it now because you will be dead in less then a week. Now get out of my house and go home”

 

“What? I do not even get that tea? Another lie was it?” And with that I gathered myself and walked out.

 

I could not wait till I was home; I had get clean before I got home I went to an uninhabited and private place in the stream and stripped. The water was cold but I did not care, I thought of it as purifying myself. Like baptism of a young child. I was standing in the river for fifteen minutes letting the water wash over me, cleansing me. I moved not a muscle. If anyone saw me they would think I was paralyzed, but I wasn't. I was thinking, thinking of how I could get back at him. I realized my lips were turning blue so I got out and dressed. I found myself a sunny spot to lie in.

 

As I stared up at the clouds I realized dying would not be all that bad. Didn't Jesus himself die of execution? God knows everything so I will go to Heaven, and he to Hell. I would have time to say goodbye, not that I had anyone except my mother. I took my time with the walk home to give me time to plan how I would say goodbye. I thought that the best way would be the easiest too. I could walk up to Mama and give her a hug. I could tell her I loved her and give her a goodbye kiss.

 

When I got to my door I hesitated; my fingers were shaking over the doorknob, asking myself how I could face my mother when I knew I only had a little time left. How could I hug her and willingly let go? Knowing what I knew? I took a breath to ready myself and opened the door. I lost all control I had and ran to my mother hugging her tightly.

 

“It's all lies, Mama, all lies” I said while I cried. My mother cradled me tight to her and made soothing sounds. I finally calmed down enough to tell her it all. It was late at night so she suggested that I go to bed. She tucked me in and then crawled into bed with me instead of going to her own bed.

 

“Pray my dear child for God to help us through this. He knows all and if you do die, he will welcome you with open arms and punish what is dirty.”

 

I did as she advised and was grateful of the comfort of my mother's arm around me and went into a fretful sleep. I woke to a pounding on the door. Instantly I knew it was the men who were assigned to arrest me for being a witch. I opened the door slowly.

 

“You have been accused of being a witch, Bessie Cooper, and we are to escort you to the hall for trial. You can come with us or be forced there.” It was said by the tallest of the men of the group.

 

“I will come with you of my own free will.” I kissed my mama one last time and walked with my head bowed until I got to the hall, were I preceded to walk with my chin held high. I waited for my trial in a small cell. I had to wait approximately a day. I answered the questions truthfully but they said I was lying.

 

In a loud voice the judge said, “Bessie Cooper, I prosecute you for being a witch and are to be burned at sunset!”

 

On my way to the stake people threw tomatoes and anything they could find. They tied my wrists behind the poles and my ankles together.

 

“You burn tonight for being a witch.” And with that they threw the torch into the wood beneath me. I felt the fire lick my feet and the smoke suffocate me I was dead before long. So that is my tale, for all that it is worth. Now I must depart to the afterlife. Finally at rest; in the arms of Mother Mary.